Cool Stuff

First of all, big congrats to my great friend Helen Hardt, whose Scarlet Rosette, Passion in Paris, released over at The Wild Rose Press on Friday! Helen will be visiting my blog this coming Friday to answer my probing interview questions *cough-cough* (in my defence I have thought up some new questions for her!!!)

Secondly, some smokin' Aussie and New Zealand YA authors have got together and started up a new blog, We Love YA. They've already had some amazing author and editor guests, and there are heaps of fab prizes to be won!

And thirdly (what am I on today?!) my super-sleuth CP Pat found another contest. This one is a bit short notice but definitely doable!! Here are the details:

QueryTracker's First Agent-Judged Contest

I am very pleased to announce that Joanna Stampfel-Volpe of Nancy Coffey Literary will be judging a contest next week on the QueryTracker.net blog.

To enter, submit a one sentence hook for your book. Details will be revealed on the QueryTracker blog Monday, April 13th.

Grand prize - full submission of your manuscript
1st place - 50 page submission
2nd place - 30 page submission
3rd place - 10 page submission

Red Hot Sale!!

During the month of April all Rosettes at The Wild Rose Press are selling for just 99c! What a bargain. Here's the link if you want to check out the lastest Scarlet releases (including Touch of the Demon! hehehehe, yes I had to get a little plug in there!!)

Well, I finally hit Send on my Book in a Nutshell blurb, so will wait with anticipation to see where that gets me. But the important thing is, this contest really motivated me to finish my novel which I started way back in September! So it's all good, and not only did I finish the book but I also hammered out a blurb, something I always try and avoid until the last possible moment!

Touch of the Demon - Now Available at Fictionwise

Just a quick heads up that Touch of the Demon is now at Fictionwise, AllShortStories and as of today (I think!) it's also available at All Romance eBooks.

At AllShortStories, Demon is at #3, so that was exciting!!!

And a big Thank You to April, who walked me through the maze of FW, so now I actually know what I'm looking for when I'm there!!!

And now, back to procrastinating about hitting the SEND key for the BOOK IN A NUTSHELL contest!!!

Forbidden Eternity - Skhye Moncrief

Please welcome my special guest this week, Skhye Moncrief, who is a multi-pubbed author with The Wild Rose Press.

Skhye, tell us a little about yourself!

I'm a Texan who believes men look best in kilts. Unfortunately, my husband disagrees. :( I'm formally educated in both geology and anthropology (bioarchaeology). I'm a stay-at-home mom who rides herd over my bossy & sassy 3-year old. Thank the stars for writing, or I'd lose my mind! And I blog about reference books

And please take a peek at my free read, VOW OF SUPERSTITION: DRAGON'S BLOOD

Hi, Christina! Thanks for having me over. I thought I'd let you take a peek at Cochise--FORBIDDEN ETERNITY'S hero...

Sorry. I, uh, forgot what I was talking about...

(Stop looking at pictures, Skhye!) Oh, wait. I remember!

Sometimes the forbidden proves the only cure. In present-day Scotland, a shape-shifting shaman and a Druid embrace the forbidden to safeguard history from renegade gods bent on sabotaging history by kidnapping the Goddess of Time. A woman Cochise despises is his only hope for a future. He has no choice except to swallow his pride and protect Druidess Mairi from a man who is blackmailing her into breaking time-travel Code by kidnapping her sister. But his presence tempts Mairi into risking her sister’s life in falling in love. A fairy hairball and a pack of Hell Hounds force the duo to hide on an astral plane where there is no resolution beyond facing their FORBIDDEN ETERNITY. You're invited to read the 1st chapter:



How did the idea for the plot come about?

FORBIDDEN ETERNITY was a story in my Time Guardian series. Cochise evolved from a secondary character in a group of Time-Guardian cadets protecting history in Scotland. He's a cadet himself. Although, he fancies himself quite capable. Wouldn't you if you looked that scrumptious? Anyhow, my first love has always been Native Americans--that's before bagpipes! FORBIDDEN ETERNITY is bagpipes, Native Americans, Scotland, fairies, shape shifting, and time travel.


I love sale stories (ok I am just nosy!!) so can you tell us about your road to publication - and your call story?

I had been writing over 5 years, had quit graduate school (bioarchaeology) to feed the writing-bug's ravenous appetite, when I found myself at home with my 1-yr old. Trying to sell a terribly cross-genre fantasy romance series just wasn't working for me. But I'm hard-headed and wouldn't just go with the general consensus on what the term "weird" defined. Oy! I decided to throw in the writing towel when another author (with my publisher) encouraged me to query The Wild Rose Press. I found my novel HE OF THE FIERY SWORD was one of the few stories the WRP dark paranormal editor contracted at the time. Things have picked up since with the Black Rose line. And, to make a long story short, I jumped up and down quite a bit, then went to work on two websites. http://www.timeguardians.com/ & http://www.skhyemoncrief.com/ My hair pulling ended. And I landed a stellar review. "Arthur is a masterpiece..." HE OF THE FIERY SWORD's King Arthur ~Diane Mason, The Romance Studio

We are all about the love here, so please share your fave books, movies, TV shows or current fantasy squeeze (it's all in the line of research!)

SCROLL UP. Okay, I'll spill my guts. I'm also smitten with Gerry Butler. And here's a sexy Welshman--Dafydd Emyr would make an incredible Time Guardian too...

Lastly on my list are the tough Viking types in THIRTEENTH WARRIOR. Since I could actually go on forever, let me see if I can be more specific. My favorite romance is Jennifer Roberson's LADY OF THE GLEN. Karen M. Moning's work is wonderful. And the world's been known to stop when I get ahold of a Dark Hunter novel. My all-time favorite hero is Christine Feehan's hero in MIND GAMES. I don't know why. We just meshed. (Lucky guy!) I have a deep appreciation for Jane Austen. Pride & Prejudice with Colin Firth is perfection. And there is a soft spot in my heart for Ciaran Hinds. It must be because of JANE EYRE & PERSUASION. But in Anthropology Through Literature, I was a firm believer that even a wealthy man is victimized by the culture of his day. ;) Look at all those money-grubbing women out to marry him!


What are you working on now?

I'm working on a werewolf space opera. People usually reply "huh?" when I spout that subject. So, let's just say we're talking about psychic warfare and werewolves. The rest is top secret. I'm dying to write a dragon-hunter tale. But I must finish the space opera first. :( I just don't understand why life is torturing me!

How can readers keep up with your writing and books?

Visit:
http://timeguardians.com/
http://skhyemoncrief.com/
http://myspace.com/skhyemoncrief
http://blog.skhyemoncrief.com/

Thanks for having me here, Christina. ~Skhye

Night Owl Romance 4.5 Hearts

I've had two reviews this week for Touch of the Demon which really brightened my day! The first is from Night Owl Romance where Dianna had this to say:

Touch of the Demon is an extremely spicy novella. Short in length but full to the brim with enough hot and spicy passion to make you want your fan running on high while you are reading it. Christina Phillips has done a spectacular job of making her world come alive for the reader. Touch of the Demon will defiantly keep you guessing, and honestly you would think “people” would learn not to mess with affairs of the heart, wouldn’t you?

The full review can be found here, but be warned! It's a very hot and spicy review!!!

The second review is from fellow The Wild Rose Press author Helen Hardt:

Do you love a dark and sexy hero? An imaginative paranormal setting? Sizzling sexual tension coupled with passionate emotion? Touch of the Demon offers all this and more. The refreshingly unique story of Rafe and Celeste explores the timeless theme of a love so fierce and unending, it overpowers all other loyalties. Christina Phillips’s elegant voice and masterful use of imagery will leave you breathless. Don’t miss this one!

Thank you Helen!

And while I think of it, does anyone understand the vaguries of Google Alerts? I get heaps of alerts but half of them are for old links on the web which I've been sent before. But I only found the NOR review by googling myself (this of course has given me a great excuse to continue with my obsessive self googly habits!!!)

Battlestar Galactica Revisited

*~*~*~*~*~*~Possible Spoiler Alert!~*~*~*~*~*~*

It's a closely guarded secret, but I've a bit of thing going on with the whole BSG universe. Happily for me, the lovely Eleni is also a slight fan-girl on the quiet and has a fabulous

post on her blog - however if you haven't yet seen the final half of Series 4 then be warned there are spoilers ahead!!!

I think Series 4.5 is coming out on DVD round about 21st April. I don't know if that means it will also be available in Australia, I bloody hope so!!!

Lights Out - Ann Campbell

Please welcome my special guest today, The Wild Rose Press author Ann Campbell, whose debut novella, Lights Out, was recently released through the Scarlet Rose Line.


Born and raised in Texas, Ann spent a few years after high school working in other states. She trained race horses in Oklahoma, worked for a hotel in New Mexico and on a guest ranch in Colorado before returning home and finding the love of her life. Married with two children, she spends her days chasing the baby, feeding the zoo that lives on thier 11 acres and trying to squeeze in the time to write.

Can you tell us a little about your book?

It is just a short little story about two friends who have been fighting their attraction for each other and finally find the right moment to come together. It takes place in the Colorado Rockies during a january snow storm. Yumm! what better way to stay warm than with a hot stud :)

How did the idea for the plot come about?

I worked on a Guest Ranch in the Colorado Rockies for awhile. One of my co-workers was a super studly, very sexy melt in your mouth kind of guy. We were friends and did a lot of things together but he had a girlfriend and made it clear to me he would never cheat on her even if he did want to help me take care of a problem :) We are still very good friends and have talked occasionally about the what if's.

I love sale stories (ok I am just nosy!!) so can you tell us about your road to publication - and your call story?

When I first started writing I was working on a story I still have not finished. I decided that for a first submission, it might be better to sub something small. SO, I spend a whopping 6 hours and wrote LIGHTS OUT, sent it to a friend to read and she loved it. So I sent it to TWRP. Then I got a contract.

We are all about the love here, so please share your fave books, movies, TV shows or current fantasy squeeze (it's all in the line of research!)

I LOVE the Dark Hunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon. as far as TV since I don't get cable in the sticks I have a thing for House and Bones. There is just something about Dr House and Agent Booth that I find VERy sexy

What are you working on now?

LOL I have 8 stories sitting on my desktop right now. all of them at various stages of completion. I kinda bounce from one to another depending on the day and what my muse tells me to do.

How can readers keep up with your writing and books?

Always check my web site. I have lots of fun things there and I am always adding new stuff There is a really cool contest going on RIGHT NOW but it only lasts until the end of the month. It is a very easy scavanger hunt and the prize is super hot! Go check it out and have lots of fun!
Thanks!

BOOK IN A NUTSHELL - Knight Agency Competition

This looks like a great opportunity!


Here’s a chance to have your project reviewed by one of the agents at The Knight Agency. Submit three compelling sentences (150 words max) about your completed, unpublished manuscript to mailto:submissions@knightagency.net (delete spaces). Write BOOK IN A NUTSHELL in the subject line or it will not be deemed elligible. One submission per project, please. Twenty of the best submissions will be chosen and requested by various agents who will then give feedback on your work...and it may even lead to possible representation. Hurry, the deadline is April 20, 2009. Winners will be notified by May 1, 2009.

The Knight Agency

Whipped Cream - 4 Cherries!

Your mission: eradicate the enemy menace. Your reward: your wings. Your warning: don’t lose your heart, or you could destroy your race. Ah, such is the mission for Rafe, the dark angel in Touch of the Demon. Well, it is until Celeste comes along…

Ms. Phillips uses a hot-button subject, a clash between races, as the main theme for her short story. Battling legions isn’t unique, but her approach to the topic is. She weaves the characters together in such a fashion that they are incomplete alone. Rafe wants to kill the half-goddess, half-human creature. Celeste needs Rafe to impregnate her. What’s an independent spirited woman to do? Snag him in a dark alley! As the relationship deepens, both realize their jobs mean nothing without love.

The relatable aspect of this story is that we all know people we might not befriend because of differences. When the heart is in charge, the differences melt away. We could all learn from that logic.

If you want a sexy read, filled with demons, goddesses, and forbidden love, then pick up a copy of Touch of the Demon and let it take you away. I give this short story 4 cherries.

Tiger Lily, Whipped Cream Reviews

A Hot Day in Heaven - Kathleen Scott

Please welcome my special guest this week, Kathleen Scott, who writes "steamy sci-fi, futuristic, fantasy, and paranormal romances where legendary creatures and remote galaxies are an every day occurrence. Where science, sorcery and sex make interesting and otherworldly lovers."

Kat is published by The Wild Rose Press, Red Sage Publishing and Samhain Publishing.

Can you tell us a little about your book?

When I hear this question I always want to say, "Which one?" I have a few on my list now and I'm always eager to push all my babies.

In January, the print release of my first erotic fallen angel story, A Hot Day In Heaven will hit the Wilder Rose Press site. February marks the ebook release of two of my books, one from Wild Rose Press/Faery Rose titled, Kingmaker's Gold the other is my first romantic comedy paranormal titled, Paramatch.com and is with Samhain Publishing as part of the Tickle My Fantasy anthology.

Here's some blurbage for your reading pleasure.

A Hot Day In Heaven by Kathleen Scott

Bad things always seem to come in threes, or so Sonia St. Marie discovers as she is kicked out of her apartment during a blizzard, her job teaching art classes at an adult center gets cut and she catches her boyfriend in bed with her best friend. Needless to say, it’s not been the best of days. That is, until Archer DeAngelo shows up in his black SUV, smelling of exotic spices and evoking a head full of sensual fantasies.

For years, Archer has been the distraction in the back of Sonia’s mind, tempting her to wonder about his decadent lifestyle and the women he’s pleasured. Just looking at him makes her dream of all the things she wants to do with him, and now that she’s free from her philandering boyfriend, Gabriel, there’s nothing to stand in her way.

Seeing Sonia’s distress at her homeless state, Archer offers her a place to stay--his condo overlooking Central Park. Having nowhere else to go in such inclement weather, Sonia takes him up on his offer for shelter and much more. The sexual tension that always simmered between them goes into overdrive under such close proximity. The fact Archer has made it his mission to help her put her life back together has its own advantages. But then again, Archer is only doing his job.

Kingmaker's Gold by MK Mancos

Gold —the name alone evokes dreams of riches beyond imagination. Whether one is a mortal woman or one of the fey men who inhabit New York in 1910, the precious metal can have great impact and far-reaching consequences. For Abigail Westmorland, a single gold coin stands between her and destitution. For Venn, a contender for the leprechaun throne, it means the difference between leading the fey or being led by his cousin, the dark fey, Lachlan. Together Venn and Abigail find true love is more precious than any gold.

Paramatch.com by MK Mancos


Dating in today’s world is tough enough. Pair it with a paranormalady, and Lucille Wainwright is living the recipe for loneliness. Born a talentless witch in a family of legendary spellcasters, she’s managed to carve a niche for herself with ParaMatch.com, a matchmaking service for paranormal beings.

What she lacks in the magic department, she more than makes up for with her uncanny ability to conjure committed relationships out of any combination of traits and backgrounds. Until now.

Enter Jager Cronus, deposed king of the Titans and successful paratrader. As a client, he’s a nightmare. As a man, he’s irresistible. When he demands a date with her to the annual Legion Halloween Dance, she’s hard pressed to refuse. With her professional ethics warring with a deep need to prove herself, she gives him two more chances to find love.

That’s all the opening Jager needs. After all, he didn’t survive his downfall without learning a few things about prevailing in the face of the stiffest negotiations.

Now he’s about to negotiate the deal of a lifetime—a future with Lucilla.


How did the idea for the plot come about?

I have no earthly idea. Sometimes it's snippets in a dream, sometime it starts with a sentence beginning with "What if.." Since I write in several different genres under three names, I can get my ideas from anywhere and twist them to my pleasure. I'm also a documentary junkie. I love them. I don't care if they're about frozen wastelands on distant planets, or the mating cycle of the dung beetle, I'll watch it. I have such varied interests and have a life-long love off all thing paranormal or strange or considered occult. That interest makes for some interesting plot lines no matter the backdrop of the story. Though I will admit that Kingmaker's Gold was written specifically for St. Patrick's Day so I had that criteria when I fashioned the idea. When I saw that as one of the holidays for special stories at the Wild Rose Press, I knew I had to do it. Christmas, Halloween and Valentine's Day are usually the big ones that romance writers do special stories for - but my long forgotten Irish ancestors called to me from somewhere in my blood and I thought it was a perfect holiday to come up with a historical paranormal. There is a sequel to it in the works. The villian wouldn't let me alone until I told his story.

A Hot Day In Heaven just kind of evolved as I wrote it. I'm generally a plotter, but every once in a while a story will write itself. This was one of them. I started out on the first line with a snowy day in New York and the words just started spilling out with no idea where I was going or what I was doing with them. But I think the end result is worth the effort. And I just sold the second book in that series to Wild Rose/Scarlet Rose titled, Hotter Than Hell. As for Paramatch.com, that's one of those stories where you read one by your favorite author and you're like, "I wonder if I could do a story with that type of character." For me, it was a Susan Elizabeth Phillips novel, Match Me If You Can. (I love Susan - to me, she's a goddess!) And though I loved that book so much, I knew I didn't want to do a contemporary matchmaker unless there was a really great twist. Bring on Lucilla Wainwright, a talentless witch who has to make her way in the world using old-fashioned ingenuity and a dynamite computer software program. When I knew that, the opening scene pretty much came to me in a flash and I knew Lucilla as if we'd been friends for years.


I love sale stories (ok I am just nosy!!) so can you tell us about your road to publication - and your call story?

It's been filled with potholes and rakes (not the luscious hero-type, but the garden implement variety.) I really started writing for publication about 14 years ago or so. My sights were set on becoming the next Mercedes Lackey, but I never got a bite with any of my fantasy novels, though I do have some rather loverly rejection letters. I stepped back, reevaluated my goals. I've always loved romance, since the first time I held a copy of my mother's Barbara Cartland in my hand. *sigh* And truthfully, my fantasy had a lot of romanctic undertones. Everyone had a love interest, or was involved in a love triangle of some sort. I decided to write where my love was and began to hone my craft in romance. However, me being me, I can't do anything straight forward, so my first romance novel was a romantic suspense with a paranormal twist dealing with near-death experiences. It was plum awful. After many years of sitting under the bed (or in this case a box in my basement) for many years, I decided to streamline characters cut the beginning and start mid-action and start from the first word on a rewrite. During this time, I had gone back to college after being out for...well, we won't say how long...and worked on my degree in English with a writing concentration. I'd already learned so much on my own, but those classes gave me the extra push I needed to begin sending my work out again. I'd received a freebie copy of one of Red Sage's Secrets anthologies from an NJRW conference and one night when I didn't have time to start reading a novel, I plowed through that book as if it were the last one I was ever allowed to read. Amazed and bewildered (would I ever attain such professionalism in my prose?) at the high standard set by Red Sage's authors, I was bound and determind to write for them. I had a futuristic story about computers who not only run the government, but have become the government. I hadn't finished it and thought if I built up the romance, upped the sexual tension and made it more graphic, I might have a shot. I'll be damned if I didn't sell that sucker on the first go. Fatal Error appears in Secrets Volume 17 Erotic Nights. I remember the call very well. My husband, Dave, and I were sitting in the living room preparing to watch our taped episode of Battlestar Galactica when the phone rang. I don't remember much after that but dancing around the kitchen and my husband giving me a hug that cracked a rib. We were both pretty excited! And you know what? I still get just as excited when I sell a book, though hubby just gives me a gentle kiss and a normal hug now.

We are all about the love here, so please share your fave books, movies, TV shows or current fantasy squeeze (it's all in the line of research!)

Well, just about anything that has a sci-fi bent to it will get me to watch. Also, CSI shows, both documentary style and the fictional type. Cold case shows, City Confidentail, American Justice. Books, I have so many favorite authors I wouldn't be able to list them all here. I read a variety of genres, but mostly romance and it's sub-genres. Though I have found romantic elements in just about every book I've picked up randomly at the library.


What are you working on now?

At any one time I work on about 5-7 books. I'm weird that way. It helps to keep me from getting writer's block. If I get stuck somewhere, I will pull up the next file and get to work. It makes me feel productive while I'm trying to work out the problem that got me stuck in the first place.

How can readers keep up with your writing and books?

Visit my blogs or my websites.
katwriter.blogspot.com
http://www.mystickat.com/
paranormalauthors.blogspot.com
star-crossedromance.blogspot.com
http://www.katedavisonromance.com/

Why Do I Write Erotic Romance?

Today I'm gallivanting over at my great friend Catherine Bybee's blog, where I explain why I write erotic romance! Pop over and join in the party!!

Win a Gift Voucher!!!

I'm over at my friend Emma Lai's blog today (whoops I got the date wrong yesterday...! I know this surprises nobody who knows the sorry state of my brain!!!) where we're chatting about challenges, characters and mysterious worlds. And the lovely Emma is offering a $5.00 gift voucher for The Wild Rose Press to one lucky person who leaves a comment!

Love to see you over there!

Still Partying! & Review for Rafe!

I have one more winner to announce! From Skhye Moncrief's contest the winner of a download of Touch of the Demon is Keena Kincaid. Congratulations, Keena! Please contact me on christina @ christinaphillips.com with your addy details.

Today I'm partying over at my good friend Kaye Manro's blog. Would love to see you over there!

On Wednesday, I'm at the lovely Emma Lai 's blog where we'll be chatting about challenges, characters and mysterious worlds.

And yesterday I received a wonderful review which made my day (that's a lie, it made my week!!)

Here it is:

Wrought with deception, sizzling with seduction, Touch of the Demon, is rich, dark, powerful and extraordinary. The intricacies of the paranormal world will keep you on an extreme edge.. But the chemistry between oh, so Sexy Dark Angel, Rafe and Celeste, will burn your skin. From carefully designed manipulations, Rafe and Celeste defy their fate, uncover a ‘gasp’ eliciting twist at the end and eventually stand the test of time. Ms. Phillips creates a stunning must read aura around her story! – Author April Vine

In the Hot Seat & Winners!

Okay! I've drawn the winners for downloads of Touch of a Demon. From the Book Roast, it's Mary Ricksen. Congratulations, Mary!

And from my blog party here, it's Sami Lee. Congratulations, Sami!

Please contact me to let me have your details - christina @ christinaphillips.com (no spaces!)

There's still time to pop over to the amazing Skhye's blog, where we're discussing the fascination of the goddess culture (one of my fave subjects!!) and the mythology behind my writing. All comments go into a draw for one person to win a download of Touch of the Demon.

Today (later today for those of us Down Under) I'm being interviewed by the lovely Linda Banche, where she's turned the tables on me and I'm answering my own questions! It's great fun (and I even managed to mention Battlestar Galactica, I'm that dedicated!!!)

And on Monday, my great friend Helen Hardt is grilling me about Rafe, the hero from Demon. She even let me post a photo of a hottie! (Bet you can't guess who...?!) (NO, really, I bet you can't!!!)

Touch of the Demon - Release Day Party!!!

It's finally here! Friday 13th March 2009 which means Touch of the Demon hits the cyber shelves at The Wild Rose Press!

So, along with the glittery elephant, jelly and ice cream and hot cabana boys (what, you didn't think I'd forget the eye candy, did you?) I'm offering a free download of Touch of the Demon to one person who leaves a comment on this post during Friday 13th/Saturday 14th March.

As soon as Demon is up on The Wilder Roses page, I'll link directly to it.

Later today (Aussie and NZ time) I'm going to be roasted at The Book Roast where another copy of Demon will be up for grabs! All you have to do is pop on over and either answer the insanely cool question which will be posted, or just leave a comment!

Edited to Add: I'm now live at the Book Roast! Love to see you over there!!!

Plus - I'm now chatting about how I research my mythology for my stories over at Skhye Moncrief's blog! And another chance to win a copy of Demon!

In the meantime, I'll leave you with an excerpt:

“I’ll beg you for nothing.” It was a lie. If Celeste thought begging could get her anywhere, then she would already be on her knees before him. She kept that knowledge locked deep in her heart.

Rafe took a step toward her and her heart hammered in her breast. He was taller than any human she had known over the years. But then, he wasn’t human. Beneath the long leather coat he wore against the night’s chill air, his broad shoulders all but blotted out the rest of the world.

She sucked in a suddenly panicked breath, and his evocative scent of other worldly essences, meshed with hot, heavy male enveloped her. Against every principle she stood for, her nipples strained against the fabric of her bodice, peaking with desire and disgust and pure, animal heat.

A mocking smile twisted his full sensual lips. “I could make you beg, human.” His finger traced the outline of her face and she shuddered, hating the way she reacted and yet unable to help herself. “I might even listen to your pleas.” His smoky whisper shimmered along her senses, searing with words unsaid.

Edited: Woot! The link has just gone up on TWRP! Here it is!

Oh, and I just had to post this gorgeous glittery picture (yes I'm very fond of glittery things, in case you wondered!!!) Not only does she have the starlit hair of my heroine, but also her name! The picture is titled "Celeste in Water". It's got to be a Sign!!!

MySpace Glitters

Countdown!

MySpace Glitters

Only three days to go until Touch of the Demon is released by The Wild Rose Press!

On Friday, 13th March 2009 I'll be having a party here on my blog to celebrate. Everyone who leaves a comment on Friday and Saturday will go into a draw for one lucky person to win a free download of Touch of the Demon!

I'm also being roasted over at the Book Roast on Friday, and for a second chance to win a free download of Touch of the Demon, all you have to do is answer a question or leave a comment (I've had a sneak peek at the question, and it totally rocks!!)

Hope to see you all on Friday! And thank you, Suz, for reminding me to get my butt in gear!!

Here's the trailer!

Zombie Queen of Newbury High - Amanda Ashby

My special guest today is my fabulous CP and fellow Witch, Amanda Ashby, who's celebrating the release of her debut Young Adult novel, Zombie Queen of Newbury High.

Okay Amanda, it's over to you!

Amanda Ashby was born in Australia and has spent the last ten years dividing her time between England and New Zealand. When she’s not moving countries, she likes to write books (okay, she also likes to watch television, eat chocolate and sit around doing not much, but let's just keep that between ourselves, shall we?). She has a degree in English and Journalism from the University of Queensland and is married with two young children. Her debut adult book You Had Me at Halo has been nominated for a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice award. This is her first book for young adults. Visit her on the web

Can you tell us a little about your book?

ZOMBIE QUEEN OF NEWBURY HIGH is the story of what happens when a teenage girl tries to do a love spell to stop her prom date from dumping her but instead she accidentally turns the entire senior year into flesh-eating zombies (seriously, it could've happened to anyone). Then she is forced to work with a do-it-by-the-book zombie hunter hottie to try and find a cure before she ends up being first course in an all-you-can-eat-buffet.


We're dying to know, how did the idea for the plot come about?

Well, Christina, like you I am a very deep thinker, so obviously the idea didn't come about because I thought the word 'zombie' was funny. Nor did it come about because I use to jokingly threaten my cps that if all else failed I could always write a book called, 'I Was a Killer Zombie Bride' because either of those reasons would make me come across as silly and a perhaps a little bit shallow. Er, so how about we move onto the next question?

(C) Um yeah, deep thinker... that's me...

I love sale stories (ok I am just nosy!!) so can you tell us about your road to publication - and your call story?

You say road, I say long and winding stone track that was filled with potholes and large immovable objects in the way!!!! Basically I had been writing for about six years (okay, so longer than that but the other manuscripts were so bad that I really can't count them!). Anyway, I knew I was getting closer, but I still couldn't break through.

Then in 2005 my father died. I was living in England at the time and I had to fly back to Australia for the funeral (had I mentioned that I'd just returned from my final visit to see him a week earlier?). Anyway, the day of his funeral was surreal. Not only was I jet-lagged and in shock, but I somehow ended up having an imaginary conversation with my dad (that's right, the dead one). A couple weeks later I suddenly got an idea about another dead person who was watching their funeral and from there the story poured out of me. I finished it three weeks later, signed with an agent not long after and she sold the book two weeks after she submitted it. Sometimes it still doesn't feel real but there is no doubt in my mind that my dad managed to pull a few strings from up above!

We are all about the love here, so please share your fave books, movies, TV shows or current fantasy squeeze (it's all in the line of research!)

It is no secret that I'm a MASSIVE Buffy/Angel/Firefly fan (and if you didn't know that, you would probably guess once you read ZOMBIE QUEEN OF NEWBURY HIGH since in a wild coincidence, so is my heroine, Mia. Go figure!). My other all time favorite television show that I can watch over and over again is Friends. It's just so funny and it never ceases to make me laugh - I'm all for the laughing!

I can't quite believe Amanda didn't mention her not-so secret-beloved, so because I am a very kind, sensitive CP I've posted up a naked photo here of David Boreanaz for her to drool over.

And of course Christina is almost beside herself with excitement now that I've finally seen the light and started watching Battlestar Galactica. What can I say about that show apart from the fact it's awesomely amazing (okay, I could actually say a lot more but then that would just set Christina off and in turn the world would see us for the couple of pathetic fangirls that we are!!!!! So don't worry, Christina - your secret is safe with me...)

Thanks, Amanda. That's a relief...

Can you tell us what you're working on now?

I recently finished another young adult book about a girl who can see invisible killer fairies (and we're not talking Tinkerbell with a bad attitude) and now I'm working on a mid grade book which is lots of fun and I've only rewritten about one hundred times!!!


How can readers keep up with your writing and books?

This will take you to my website, which will take you to my blog, which will take you to my twitter account, which will...well, you get the picture!!!

New Books!

Several friends had books released during this last week, so I'm giving a shout out to them here!

Enjoy!

Animal Instincts by Nell Dixon


Down-to-earth Clodagh Martin is very fond of her glamorous actress step-sister, Imogen - in small doses. So when Imogen turns up on her doorstep drunk and clutching a bottle of champage and announces that she's come to stay, Clodagh isn't exactly thrilled. It's not a great time. The animal sanctuary she runs is stony broke and the animals; a foul-mouthed parrot, two gay donkeys and a goat, aren't enough to attract the hoardes.It's not a great time for Imogen either. Let's face it, staying at Rainbow's End animal sanctuary wouldn't exactly be her first choice. Unfortunately, a combination of debt and a humiliating public scandal involving a live TV show and too much booze, has left Imogen with very little choice but to throw herself on Clodagh's mercy until things blow over.But actually, this could be a heaven-sent opportunity to get both her career and the sanctuary back on track. What could possibly go wrong?

Date Published - Thursday, March 05, 2009 Little Black Dress

Nell's Website


Leticia's Lovers by Shelley Munro

Order at: Ellora’s Cave (eBook)


Middlemarch Mates, Book Seven.

Lion shifter Leticia Huntingdon has FIV, the feline version of AIDS. For months she’s been in remission, treated by Gavin Finley, the Middlemarch feline doctor. Now the disease has returned. Her feelings for Gavin can’t go anywhere because of the FIV, so it shouldn’t hurt when Gavin turns to Charlie, the new male cop.

Gavin can’t believe how good sex is with Charlie, can’t believe he’s found a mate.

The loving is amazing and hot, but Gavin can’t forget Leticia. He wants her in his life. He wants Charlie too. Confusion and jealousy create torrid undercurrents for the trio.

Charlie McKenzie falls for Gavin quickly and can’t understand why he’s attracted to Leticia. A nightmare changes everything, drawing the three together and bringing new possibilities. A ménage a trois. Raw need and passion brings them closer. If only the disease threatening Leticia’s life didn’t loom on the horizon…

Release Date: Feb 27, 2009

Shelley's Website

Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux knows she's the best—but she doesn't know if she's good enough for this job. Hired by the dangerously beautiful Archangel Raphael, a being so lethal that no mortal wants his attention, only one thing is clear—failure is not an option...even if the task is impossible. Because this time, it's not a wayward vamp she has to track. It's an archangel gone bad. The job will put Elena in the midst of a killing spree like no other…and pull her to the razor's edge of passion. Even if the hunt doesn't destroy her, succumbing to Raphael's seductive touch just may. For when archangels play, mortals break…

Nalini's Website

ANGELS' BLOOD BERKLEY BOOKS March 2009

Zombie Queen of Newbury High by Amanda Ashby

Quiet, unpopular, non-cheerleading Mia is blissfully happy. Rob-super hot football god-has asked her to prom! Life couldn’t get any better. Enter Samantha -cheerleader queen and Miss Popularity-who has made it quite clear that Rob should be her prom date. Mia is desperate to make sure she doesn’t end up dumped in front of the whole school. So with prom in just a few days, she turns to Candice-her holistic, hypochondriac best friend-and decides to try a love spell to make Rob stay with her. Unfortunately, she ends up inflicting a zombie virus on her whole class instead, and she is their zombie leader! At first she loves all the attention. But when she learns from zombie hunter hottie Chase that her classmates will actually try to eat her in a few days, she’s not too thrilled. She’s sure she and Chase can figure something out, but in the meantime, she’s suggesting that no one wear white to prom, because things could get very messy.

5th March 2009 (Puffin)

Amanda's Website

Don't forget to pop back to catch Amanda's interview here on Friday!

Win a Swan from Western Australia!!!

And all you have to do is pop on over to my zombastic CP's blog and leave a comment on my post!!!

Today I'm up at Amanda's Zombie Queen party, and would love to see you all over there! (please... honestly, you don't really want to see me beg, do you?!) Up for grabs for one person who leaves a comment is an adorable phone/jewellery charm of a swan. The emblem for WA (where I live) is a Black Swan, so I thought it appropriate (if not very zombie-ish but we won't talk about that!)

Here's the zombilicious link !

Is Your Heroine a Mary Sue?

I've heard of the Mary Sue term before. It's used to describe a heroine who is perfect and wonderful and probably picked on by other characters (even though, bless her heart she doesn't deserve it because she's so wonderful. Oh, and beautiful...) Apparently it's a wish-fulfilment character of 'all the things the author wants to be'.

Anyway, I have come across this before, but was reminded of it over the weekend when there was a blog post about it over at The Wild Rose Press. There were a couple of links to take a test to see if your heroine was a Mary Sue.

I suddenly had a panic attack. I'm so in love with my current hero and heroine that a very nasty thought occurred. Was my Carys really a Mary Sue?

OMG.

Well I got brave and did the tests and much to my relief scored round about 13 in both. In fact the results made me laugh as one site told me I needed to get closer to my heroine. Ha ha. If I got any closer there'd be legal issues.


Here are the links if you fancy having a bit of fun. How did you score?!

Mary Sue 1

Mary Sue 2